The ancient words of scripture become true and alive in us when we realise that the old couple called to new ministry are sitting on the bus next to us, that the children Jesus wants to bless are those on the news, fleeing their war-torn country, that the folk hungry for healing and hope are our next-door neighbours. The stories and people in the Bible speak to us today – if we listen with our hearts and souls.

Thom Shuman writes: ‘So much of the ordinary is truly extraordinary, so much of what we take for granted are the soft petals of grace strewn on the paths we walk, so much of the air we breathe is filled with wonder, hope, joy and peace.’ An awareness Thom first experienced while on sabbatical at the spiritual centres of Taizé, the Abbey of Gethsemani and Iona, where these liturgies and prayers first took root.